Got litter box troubles?

Has your cat decided not to use their litter tray? They’ve chosen to toilet nearby or somewhere else entirely? Litter box avoidance is a common and frustrating problem. But know this: you don’t have to put up with constant messes and scattered litter. All it takes is a little litter box education and some insight into the behaviour of your cat.

Litter box facts

Which litter is best

As you may have learnt, you can’t force a cat to use litter they don’t like. They’ll have their own preferences based on texture and smell. So the best litter is the one your cat prefers!

When your cat is young, offer two or three different types and observe the response. You’ll likely see a clear preference. With your cat’s blessing, you are probably looking for litter that’s convenient, affordable and eco-friendly, that doesn’t track (spread around the house on your cat’s paws and fur). 

Clumping clay (popular for its soil-like properties), paper (eco-friendly), silica crystals (good for mess and odour control), and corn are some of the common types of litter available. 

In general, cats prefer fragrance-free litter. What smells nice to you may not smell nice to your cat! Between the two of you, do some research and a few trials, and find the best fit.

How much litter?

About one and a half inches (just under 4cm) is ideal. Some cats might prefer a little deeper so let yourself be guided by your cat.

Is it easy to get into?

If your cat can’t get in and out of the tray easily, they won’t use it. Make sure the sides are low enough to step over comfortably, especially if your cat has mobility issues or is getting old. 

Cats that needs extra assistance may benefit from a ramp system or an accessible side of the tray made lower. Trays should always be on the floor.

Bigger is better

Cats like room to move around, dig in and cover their business. The tray should be roughly one and a half times the length of your cat from the base of their tail to the tip of their nose. This is quite a lot longer than many standard litter trays on the market. 

Consider finding a suitable plastic storage container with low sides instead of a litter tray, but keep accessibility in mind.

Liners matter

Litter box liners seem like an excellent, convenient idea for humans, but cats can dislike them. Liners that don’t fit properly bunch up, trapping urine and making it smelly. 

Claws can poke holes, letting urine seep through to the tray. If claws get stuck in the liner, unpleasant associations may form, and your cat might use somewhere else in the house as a toilet. Holes will also foil your plan for an easy, mess-free clean up. 

If you and your cat can make liners work, great. If not, you are better off skipping the liner and sticking with the pointers below for keeping the tray clean.

Cats like it clean

Hygiene matters to a cat. Keep their litter box clean or they may seek out a better spot for toilet business. Scoop the soiled litter out every day, preferably as soon as you notice it has been soiled, and freshen it up. 

There’s no need to change all of the litter every day. Aim to do it every 1 or 2 weeks, depending on the type of litter. At the same time, wash the tray in hot, soapy water, rinse it well, and put it outside to dry. 

Don’t use strongly scented soap or chemicals to clean the tray. Dishwashing liquid or similar will do the job well.

Location, location, location

Where you choose to put the litter tray matters a great deal. Put it well away from food and water sources, somewhere quiet, in the cat’s main living area.

Cats like to see what dangers may be coming their way, so make sure the tray is placed in a location where the toileting cat has good visibility. For example, a litter tray is best not placed around a blind corner.

The laundry can work but keep in mind that the washing machine and dryer are noisy and could trigger an aversion. Bathrooms are often a good choice.

Never put litter trays up high on benchtops. They should always be on the floor.

If you have a multi-storey home, you need at least one litter tray on each level per cat. 

Got more than one cat?

Multiple cats can complicate things. They may not want to share a tray or use soiled litter.

The ideal recommendation is one tray per cat plus one, keeping in mind the above advice for multi-storey homes.

Cats that sleep side by side, eat and groom together, and get along well, can be considered as one cat family. They may not mind sharing a litter tray, although it must still be scooped regularly to keep it clean.

The litter box is sorted. Why is my cat still not using it properly?

It’s medical

If there’s persistent litter box avoidance despite your best efforts, it’s time to visit the vet for a full check-up. Urinary tract disorders are the most common medical cause but the vet might also check your cat’s kidneys, thyroid, joints, and general health and wellbeing.

Arthritis can interfere with a cat’s ability to use a litter box well. It’s common in older cats and can develop undetected by owners so it’s worth asking your vet to check for this.

If no medical issues are found, a behavioural assessment will likely follow to help work out what’s going on in your cat's world. In extreme circumstances, if your relationship with your cat is starting to fracture, you may be referred to a feline behavioural specialist.

It’s psychological

Cats can develop phobias and retain memories of discomfort. If they’ve recently experienced pain while unwell or injured, or even been deeply startled, when eliminating waste in a certain litter box, your cat may decide it doesn’t want to use it anymore.

In this case, try a different location and consider other aspects of their individual needs. Read below on how to re-toilet train your cat.

It’s stress

Cats can be sensitive. Have there been any big changes in the household or family dynamics recently? A new family member or pet? House guests or a renovation bringing strange people and noise?

Are there negative interactions between your pets affecting happy toilet vibes? It can be difficult to detect what’s really going on between pets, even when you are home.

Identify any potential stressors and consider ways to help your cat adjust.

It’s not naughtiness

Don’t punish your cat for accidents and messes as there will be an underlying reason for it. It’s not likely that your cat is just acting out and seeking attention.

If need be, start again

If a pattern of litter box avoidance has settled in, excluding medical issues, you may need to retrain your cat from scratch. Confine them to a safe space where they have access to everything they need and introduce a couple of different types of litter. A preference should become obvious, then re-establish good habits in that confined space. 

When your cat is ready, let them back into the main living areas, supervised initially, until renewed toileting skills have been reliably demonstrated.

There’s a myriad of reasons why your cat might be avoiding the litter tray. Many problems can be avoided if good practices are established early and emerging bad habits are managed from the outset. Troubleshoot litter box logistics and your household environment to find the answer and seek help if you need it.